The mind is like a wild monkey, jumping here and there. But through meditation, we learn to see whatever arises in our mind with more spaciousness and clarity.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

Those who understand interdependent origination understand suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

The most profound meditation is to think nothing at all.

To see the truth, do not be for or against. The struggle between for and against is the mind's worst disease.

Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.

True happiness is not about getting rid of all our problems, but about changing our relationship to them.

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.

The path to enlightenment is not a path at all. It is a realization that where you are is where you have always been.

The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is not to be well known, cited, or powerful.

The ocean does not reject any water; therefore it is great. The mountain does not select its stones; therefore it is great.

The mind that notes and the object that is noted are both impermanent. Understanding this leads to liberation.

The Buddha's teachings are not a religion, but a science of mind.

The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

Don't be afraid of the future. The future is good.

Face your own anger and you will be free from anger. Face your own fears and you will be free from fear.

The master's introduction is direct recognition of one's own nature. Meditation is maintaining the continuity of this recognition.

The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.

May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

Don't try to push away the darkness. Just light a lamp. The darkness will disappear by itself.

When I run from suffering, it follows me. When I face suffering with equanimity, it runs from me.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals.

The stages of insight unfold naturally when mindfulness is continuous. There is no need to desire them or try to make them happen.

Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

The Buddha and all sentient beings are nothing but expressions of the one mind. There is nothing else.

As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion.

Our task is not to seek for love but to find all the barriers within ourselves that we have built against it.

The nature of life is change. The nature of change is painful. The nature of pain is temporary.

The path is not about perfecting ourselves, but about perfecting our love.

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.